Dry lubricant

Abstract

A light-duty, multi-purpose lubricant particularly formulated for use on the diverse bearing surfaces mechanisms which operate in a dirty or dusty environment, such as bicycle chains. The lubricant comprises an insoluble soap, preferably Calcium Stearate in suspension in a volatile solvent-based solution of paraffin wax, petrolatum and a surfactant. After application and evaporation of the solvent the composite dry lubricant exhibits good penetration and load bearing properties without the dirt-retaining character of greases. The optional surfactant is surrounded and deactivated by the other components so that the dried lubricant is water repelling. The undissolved particles of soap combine with dirt particles to break-down portions of the lubricant into a dry flaky dust which is sloughed off the mechanism. Soluble waxes having different solid phase crystalline structures may be blended with the paraffin to reduce the rate of sloughing. The amount of solvent may be adjusted or eliminated depending on the application.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A multi-functional, light duty lubricant comprising: an insoluble soap within a range of approximately 5 to approximately 25 percent per total weight, in suspension in a solution of: a soluble wax having a melting point between approximately 41° C. and approximately 85° C. within a range of approximately 6 to approximately 35 percent per total weight;   an oil within a range of approximately 0.3 to approximately 20 percent per total weight, selected from the group consisting of: hydrocarbon oils, silicon oils, vegetable oils and greases prepared therefrom;   a volatile solvent within a range of approxiately 35 to approxiately 90 percent per total weight; and a surfactant within a range of approximately 0.03 to approximately 2.0 percent per total weight wherein said lubricant has properties such that when said solvent evaporates, a bond is formed between a portion of said wax and a portion of said oil or grease, said bond weakened by a portion of said soap.       
     
     
       2. The lubricant of claim 1, wherein said bond is weakened to a point whereby said bond is breakable through contact with a foreign dust particle. 
     
     
       3. The lubricant of claim 1, wherein said solvent is selected from a group consisting of perchloroethylene, straight-chain hydrocarbons having from 5 to 8 carbon atoms and boiling points between approximately 35° C. and approximately 110° C., aromatic hydrocarbons, and turpentine. 
     
     
       4. The lubricant of claim 3, wherein said insoluble soap comprises a Stearate of heavy metals selected from a group consisting of Aluminum, Barium, Calcium, Lithium, Magnesium and Zinc. 
     
     
       5. The lubricant of claim 4, wherein said oil consists of lubricating oil distillates. 
     
     
       6. The lubricant of claim 5, wherein said wax is selected from the group consisting of paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, hydrogenated triglycerides, synthetic spermaceti and natural waxes. 
     
     
       7. The lubricant of claim 4, which comprises: Calcium Stearate in suspension in a solution of paraffin wax, Petrolatum and Hexane.   
     
     
       8. The lubricant of claim 4, which comprises: Calcium Stearate in suspension in a solution of paraffin wax, Petrolatum and turpentine.   
     
     
       9. The lubricant of claim 4, which comprises: Aluminum Stearate in suspension in a solution of paraffin wax, lubricating oil and Perchloroethylene.   
     
     
       10. The lubricant of claim 4, which comprises Calcium Oleate in suspension in a solution of paraffin wax, motor oil, Toluene and Varnish Makers & Paints grade of Naphtha. 
     
     
       11. The lubricant of claim 1, which further comprises: said insoluble soap being within a range of 10 to 20 percent per total weight;   said soluble wax being within a range of 14 to 25 percent per total weight;   said oil being within a range of 4 to 10 percent per total weight;   said volatile solvent being within a range of 50 to 75 percent per total weight; and   said surfactant being within a range of 0.1 to 1.5 percent per total weight.   
     
     
       12. The lubricant of claim 1, wherein said soluble wax is a wax blend comprising: a first wax having a first solid phase crystalline structure;   a second wax having a second solid phase crystalline structure; and wherein said first and second structures are different.     
     
     
       13. The lubricant of claim 12, wherein said blend comprises at least 75% by weight of said first wax. 
     
     
       14. The lubricant of claim 13, wherein said first wax has a melting point of between approximately 41 and approximately 73 degrees Celsius; and wherein said second wax has a melting point of between approximately 65 and approximately 85 degrees Celsius.   
     
     
       15. A multi-functional light-duty lubricant comprising: an insoluble soap within a range of approximately 5 to approximately 25 percent per total weight, in suspension in a solution of: an oil within a range of approximately 0.3 to approximately 20 percent per total weight, selected from the group consisting of: hydrocarbon oils, silicon oils, vegetable oils and greases prepared therefrom;       a volatile solvent within a range of approximately 35 percent to approximately 90 percent per total weight; and   a soluble wax blend within a range of approximately 6 to approximately 35 percent per total weight, said blend comprising: a first soluble wax having a first solid phase crystalline structure; and   a second soluble wax having a second solid phase crystalline structure different from said first crystalline structure.     
     
     
       16. The lubricant of claim 15, wherein said first soluble wax comprises a paraffin wax having a melting point between approximately 41° C. and approximately 73° C. 
     
     
       17. The lubricant of claim 16, wherein said second soluble wax is selected from the group consisting of microcrystalline wax, hydrogenated triglycerides, synthetic spermaceti and natural waxes. 
     
     
       18. The lubricant of claim 16, wherein said second wax comprises a microcrystalline wax having a melting point between approximately 65° C. and approximately 85° C. 
     
     
       19. The lubricant of claim 15, wherein said blend comprises at least 75% by weight of said first wax. 
     
     
       20. The lubricant of claim 15, wherein said solvent is selected from a group consisting of straight-chain hydrocarbons having from 5 to 8 carbon atoms and boiling points between approximately 35° C. and approximately 110° C., aromatic hydrocarbons, and turpentine. 
     
     
       21. The lubricant of claim 20, wherein said insoluble soap comprises a Stearate of heavy metals selected from a group consisting of Aluminum, Barium, Calcium, Lithium, Magnesium and Zinc. 
     
     
       22. The lubricant of claim 21, wherein said oil consists of lubricating oil distillates. 
     
     
       23. The lubricant of claim 15, which comprises: Calcium Stearate in suspension in a solution of paraffin wax, Petrolatum and Hexane.   
     
     
       24. The lubricant of claim 15, which comprises: Calcium Stearate in suspension in a solution of paraffin wax, Petrolatum and turpentine.   
     
     
       25. The lubricant of claim 15, which comprises: Aluminum Stearate in suspension in a solution of paraffin wax, lubricating oil and Perchloroethylene.   
     
     
       26. The lubricant of claim 15, which comprises: Calcium Oleate in suspension in a solution of paraffin wax, motor oil, Toluene and Varnish Makers & Paints grade of Naphtha.   
     
     
       27. The lubricant of claim 15, which further comprises a surfactant within a range of approximately 0.03 to approximately 2.0 percent per total weight. 
     
     
       28. A method for lubricating a bicycle chain which comprises contacting all areas of the chain with a mixture of approximately 5 to approximately 25 percent per total weight of a insoluble soap comprising a Stearate of a heavy metal selected from a group consisting of Aluminum, Barium, Calcium, Lithium, Magnesium and Zinc, in suspension in a solution comprising: approximately 6 to approximately 35 percent per total mixture weight of a soluble wax blend of a first and second wax having different solid phase crystalline structures, said blend having a complete melting point between approximately 41° C. and approximately 85° C.;   approximately 0.3 to approximately 20 percent per total mixture weight of an oil selected from the group consisting of: hydrocarbon oils, silicon oils, vegetable oils and greases prepared therefrom;     approximately 35 to approximately 90 percent per total mixture weight of a volatile solvent;   approximately 0.03 to approximately 2.0 percent per total weight of a surfactant; and   wiping all excess mixture off said chain; and allowing said mixture to dry.     
     
     
       29. The method of claim 28, wherein said step of allowing said mixture to dry comprises: evaporating said volatile solvent.   
     
     
       30. The lubricant of claim 4, wherein said oil comprises Petrolatum. 
     
     
       31. The lubricant of claim 21, wherein said oil comprises Petrolatum. 
     
     
       32. The lubricant of claim 5, wherein said wax comprises natural spermaceti. 
     
     
       33. The lubricant of claim 16, wherein said wax comprises natural spermaceti. 
     
     
       34. A method for lubricating a bicycle chain which comprises: contacting all areas of the chain with a mixture of about 5 to 25 percent per total weight of an insoluble soap comprising: a Stearate of a heavy metal selected from the group consisting of Aluminum, Barium, Calcium, Lithium, Magnesium and Zinc, in suspension in a solution comprising: about 6 to about 35 percent per total mixture weight of a wax having a melting point between 41° C. and 85° C.;   about 0.3 to about 20 percent pet total mixture weight of a hydrocarbon oil or grease; and   about 35 to 90 percent per total mixture weight of a volatile solvent;       wiping all excess mixture off said chain; and allowing said mixture to dry.